The Trump administration is pressing ahead with new immigration rules that will impose fixed time limits on visas for foreign students, cultural exchange visitors and journalists, tightening requirements for thousands of people who study and work in the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule on Thursday that replaces the current system, under which many visa holders are permitted to remain in the U.S. for the duration of their studies, exchange programme or employment.
The changes are due to take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register, subject to congressional review.
Under the new regulations, international students on F visas and participants in exchange programmes on J visas will generally be limited to stays of no more than four years.
Foreign journalists holding I visas will face shorter limits. Their visas will be valid for a maximum of 240 days, while Chinese journalists will be limited to 90 days.
DHS said visa holders would still be able to apply for extensions if they wished to remain in the U.S. beyond the initial period.
The administration said the changes were necessary to improve oversight of non-immigrants and address concerns that some individuals had remained in the country for extended periods without sufficient monitoring.
The regulations also introduce additional requirements for international students.
Graduate students will no longer be permitted to change their educational objectives during their studies and will require authorisation before transferring to another institution.
The period students are allowed to remain in the U.S. after completing their studies or practical training will also be reduced from 60 days to 30 days.
Students wishing to remain in the country after their visa period expires will need to secure an extension from DHS or leave the U.S. and seek readmission.
Immigration advocates and policy analysts criticised the new measures, arguing they could create uncertainty for students and researchers.
Doug Rand, a former DHS official, said the rule would create unnecessary barriers for international students.
David Bier, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, questioned the legal basis for some of the restrictions, particularly those relating to student transfers and academic programmes.
The latest move forms part of President Donald Trump's broader immigration agenda since returning to office in January 2025.
The administration has increased scrutiny of both legal and illegal immigration, including revoking some student visas and tightening enforcement measures.
According to DHS, more than 1.8 million student visa admissions were recorded in 2024, up more than 11% from the previous year. The department also said the U.S. admitted more than 500,000 exchange visitors and 37,300 members of the media during the same period.
DHS said the growing number of visa holders had increased the challenge of monitoring compliance and ensuring temporary visitors adhered to the terms of their admission.
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